Patsy Cline

The Incredible Journey of the Queen of Country Music

Patsy Cline’s powerful, emotive voice and heartbreaking songs cemented her place as one of the most influential artists in country music history. Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932 in Winchester, Virginia, Patsy grew up in a musical household, singing from a very young age. She was performing locally by her early teens, making radio appearances and singing in honky-tonks.

Patsy’s big break came in 1954 when she caught the attention of Four Star Records, based in California. They signed her and released her first hits, including “A Church, A Courtroom and Then Goodbye.” However, a serious car accident in 1961 nearly ended Patsy’s career. Against doctor’s orders, Patsy checked herself out of the hospital early and continued performing with severe bruising still evident on her face. Her determination and passion for singing persevered.

Patsy went on to record her most iconic songs in the early 1960s, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Sweet Dreams (Of You).” She had a unique ability to convey raw emotion and vulnerability through her vocals in a way few singers could match. Though Patsy’s time in the spotlight was sadly cut short when she died tragically in a plane crash at just 30 years old in 1963, her music lives on.

Some key achievements and accolades Patsy collected even within her short career include becoming the first female country artist to headline Las Vegas shows and appear at Carnegie Hall. She also earned a Grammy award and was the first woman inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Patsy’s brief but legendary career forever changed the landscape of country music.

Patsy Cline remains one of the most treasured voices in country music history. Though her time on earth ended prematurely, the impact of her emotive vocals and vulnerability resonates with listeners even decades later. Her musical legacy continues to inspire new generations of singers.

Discography

Albums

  • Sentimentally Yours (1962-08-07)
  • Reflections (1965)
  • In Memoriam (1963)
  • Showcase (1961-11-27)
  • Patsy Cline (1957-08-05)

Singles

  • I Fall to Pieces / Lovin’ in Vain (1961-01-30)
  • You’re Stronger Than Me / So Wrong (1962)
  • Hidin’ Out / Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue) (1967)
  • That’s My Desire / Foolin’ ’Round (1966)
  • Crazy / Walking After Midnight (1985)
  • Gotta Lot of Rhythm in My Soul / I’m Blue Again (1959)
  • Wonderful Summer / She’s Got You (1988)
  • Leavin’ on Your Mind / Tra Le La Le La Triangle (1963-01)
  • Crazy / Your Cheating Heart (1978)
  • Walking After Midnight / Lovesick Blues (1971)
  • I Fall to Pieces / So Wrong (1982)
  • I Fall to Pieces (1991)
  • I Can See an Angel / Never No More (1958)
  • Just a Closer Walk With Thee (1965)
  • Crazy Dreams / There He Goes (1962)
  • In Care of the Blues / If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (1964)
  • You Were Only Fooling / Lonely Street (1962)
  • Walkin’ After Midnight / Stop, Look and Listen (2021)
  • Gotta Lot of Rhythm / Love Me Love Me Honey Do (1964-12)
  • A Church, a Courtroom and Then Goodbye / Honky-Tonk Merry-Go-Round (1955-07-20)
  • Dear God / He Will Do for You ()
  • Today, Tomorrow and Forever (1965-02)
  • Walkin’ After Midnight / There He Goes (1986)
  • Faded Love / Blue Moon of Kentucky (1963)
  • Sweet Dreams / Blue Moon of Kentucky (1985)
  • Anytime / In Care of the Blues (1968-11-11)
  • South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) / San Antonio Rose (1965)
  • Cry Not for Me / Yes, I Understand (1959)
  • I Don’t Wanta / Then You’ll Know (1957)
  • Maybe Baby / Sweet Dreams (1988)
  • Tequila / Walkin’ After Midnight ()
  • If I Could See the World / Just Out of Reach (1958)
  • You Took Him Off My Hands / Does Your Heart Beat for Me (1967-03-18)
  • Walkin’ After Midnight / South of the Border ()
  • Your Kinda Love / Someday You’ll Want Me to Want You (1964)
  • I Fall to Pieces / He Called Me Baby (1980)
  • Hidin’ Out / Turn the Cards Slowly (1955-11-05)
  • Love Letters in the Sand / That’s How a Heartache Begins (1964)
  • I Can’t Forget / I Don’t Wanta (1962)
  • Sweet Dreams (of You) / Back in Baby’s Arms (1963-04-15)
  • I Fall to Pieces / Lovin’ in Vain (1961)
  • Crazy Arms / The Wayward Wind (1963)
  • He Called Me Baby / Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home (1964-09-14)
  • Why Can’t He Be You / Heartaches (1962)
  • Always / I’ll Sail My Ship Alone (1980)
  • When You Need a Laugh / I’ll Sail My Ship Alone (1963)
  • Lovesick Blues / How Can I Face Tomorrow (1960)
  • Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray / A Stranger in My Arms (1957)
  • Stop the World (and Let Me Off) / Walking Dream ()
  • Then You’ll Know (1962)
  • Walking After Midnight / That Wonderful Someone (1962)
  • When I Get Through With You / Imagine That (1962)
  • Life's Railway to Heaven / If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (1977)
  • Come On In / Let the Teardrops Fall (1958-06-02)
  • Crazy / San Antonio Rose (1961)
  • She’s Got You / Strange (1962)
  • Shoes / Half as Much (1966)
  • Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do / True Love (1967)
  • Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue) / Welcome to My World (1981)
  • Sweet Dreams / Always (1985)
  • I’ve Loved and Lost Again / I Love You Honey (1964)
  • Try Again / Today, Tomorrow and Forever (1957)
  • You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It) / Too Many Secrets (1968)
  • Crazy Arms / Pick Me Up on Your Way Down ()
  • Hungry for Love / Then You’ll Know (1962)
  • Sweet Dreams / A Letter From Sherry (1991)
  • Your Cheatin’ Heart / I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You) (1965)
  • Crazy / Who Can I Count On (1961-10-16)
  • Always / Pick Me Up on Your Way Down (1968)
  • I Love You So Much It Hurts / Seven Lonely Days (1965)
  • Stop, Look and Listen / I’ve Loved and Lost Again (1956-07-08)
  • We Remember George & Patsy With Love (1977)
  • I Love You, Honey / Come On In (1956-02-05)
  • Walkin’ After Midnight / A Poor Man’s Roses (Or a Rich Man’s Gold) (1957)
  • I Fall to Pieces / True Love (1980)